Brentford were tenacious in the press early doors, pressurising Spurs’ high-line, while the distribution of Maddison welcomingly returned an ingenuity to Spurs’ offence. Kulusevski and Maupay both managed to infiltrate the respective boxes of Vicario and Flekken, but couldn’t make the most of the positions they found themselves in.
In-roads on the left flank of Spurs’ half from Toney were not to be wasted, however. He forced Flekken to parry the ball into the path of an on-rushing Maupay, who duly dispatched an opener for the Bees.
There was not only an expansiveness to both sides in how they brought the ball forward, but also a sense of urgency. Spurs were also willing to shoot on sight. Werner squeezed in a shot from a tight angle that had to be pushed away for a corner by Flekken and Richarlison rocketed a thundering shot, that flew just shy of top bins.
An inventive back-heel effort from Pinnock was reflective of a Brentford team with their tails up, managing to contain and frustrate Spurs. The North London club were their own worst enemy, often smothering their own attacks. Bentancur finding space in the midfield, only to misdirect a place out of the pitch, was a microcosm of a creeping malfunction to Spurs’ play in the first 45.
That all changed with the start of the second half. Werner suddenly became a live-wire and also became a provider, with two well-worked assists for Udogie and Johnson. Not to be outdone, Maddison timed a run into Brentford’s box with perfection. His effort was blocked into the path of Richarlison, who nabbed a goal from close-range.
Toney slipped at the crucial moment with only Vicario to beat, then regained his composure to find a great angle for a shot, only to screw it wide. Foolishly, Spurs gave him an instant moment of redemption, as a thoughtless back-pass was ruthlessly capitalised on by Toney.
That may spark many clubs into a cagey mindset of sitting back more and holding on for the win. But that mindset is not compatible with Angeball. At times, Spurs had four forwards up top.
Baptiste almost levelled for Brentford in stoppage-time, with Vicario leaping into action to deny the substitute. In truth, it was struck straight at the middle of the goal. Flekken came up for a last-gasp corner opportunity, but it was a tame delivery. And Spurs edged a riveting encounter.
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